A POLICE probe has been held into the response to a call made by the mother of a triple killer on the night three men were stabbed to death.

Tom Saunders, 35, was detained under the Mental Health Act and jailed for life after stabbing his two nephews and a family friend to death on October 5, 2019.

Jason and Danny Gibson were stabbed more than 40 times in a flat in Wellesley Road, Colchester, while Richard Booth was found with 21 stab wounds inside a nearby car.

READ MORE: Triple killer who launched 'wicked and sadistic' stabbing attack jailed for life

During a sentencing hearing at Ipswich Crown Court last week, prosecutor Karim Khalil QC said police first received a call from Saunders’ mother Christine at 10.12pm on the night of the stabbings.

Mr Khalil told the court she said her son “had not been making sense and had left the address earlier”.

“When he had returned home, he was covered in blood and told her he had been in a fight with Danny and Jason,” he said.

“She said she was concerned for Jason and Danny.

“Christine Saunders said she had called an ambulance for her son, they had attended and taken him to hospital approximately 20 minutes prior to her call to police.

“Essex Police told Christine they were unable to attend at that time.”

Gazette: The scene of the stabbings in Wellesley RoadThe scene of the stabbings in Wellesley Road

The court heard the police did not respond until 12.26am, when Saunders’ brother rang the police to tell them he had found Mr Booth’s body.

Essex Police referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct to review their initial response to the incident.

READ MORE: Watchdog WON'T investigate 'delayed response' before three found dead

At the time, an IOPC spokesman said: “After careful assessment of the referral, we have decided a local investigation by Essex Police without any IOPC involvement is appropriate.”

The force has now confirmed the internal investigation found no misconduct.

A police spokesman said: “On completion of the investigation, our report was sent to the IOPC.

“They agreed there were no misconduct breaches for anyone at Essex Police.

“They did not recommend any organisational learning or improvement.

“They did, however, agree with our recommendation which identified some learning for a member of staff, which has been actioned via their line manager.

“Tragically, we now know the deaths of Danny, Jason and Richard likely took place before 6.43pm on Saturday, October 5, some hours before we were first made aware of any concern.”